Katonids Reclaim Nodgrad
The Katonid Khanate has reclaimed its northermost border town Nodgrad. This ended an increasing fierce battle over the town. The battle hardied Katonid forces who have been fighting in southern Jelbania for nearly two decades nowprevailed even as the Northern forcesa wielded superior weaponry and resources. The Katonid soldiers are rumoured to take mild narcotics before going into battle for extra fierceness, indulging in antics which often stun the more disciplined and conventional north forces. It appears that the Katonids now plan on going into the Northern Khaganate while the Northerners have, naturally, massed troops on their borders to prevent this. Satellite photos (believed to be sourced by the World Congress from Kazulian foreign intelligence) estimate Katonid forces in the border regions to have risen to around 20,000 men while the northerners are massing around 30,000 men across their border with the Katonid Khanate.
Satellite photos showing border troop deployments
FRJ Denies Pact with Northerners
FRJ Foreign Minister Bek Shmil Jerzysrmko Fik has denied rumours of a "secret anti-Katonid pact" between the Free Republic and the Northern Khaganate. Bek Fik said that the FRJ as the legitimate government of the entire steppe does not connive with "rebel governors" against other rebels. Rumours had arisen when a photo of a high ranking Foreign Ministry official in Amsadomura, Northern Khaganate was released on the Net. The FRJ and the Northern Khaganate remain on relatively friendly terms and there is no violence or even great suspicion between the two. The border, while militarised, is not a particularly hostile place and citizen from either statelet cross with ease. As for the Katonid-FRJ, it is marked by greater tensions and crossings are difficult especially with the highly totalitarian Katonid state existing in what FRJ officials call "heightened paranoia"
Mystery Force Revealed
The mysterious blue force operating in the Tribal Areas has revealed itself to a Jeztrid Blue Horde. At the head of this force is one supposed "Shlajkai VII" who claims to be the eldest son of the slain Shlajkai VI Khagan. He claims to have miraculously survived when the then Baron Katona and his Sons of Zog exterminated all of the remaining members of the Jeztri royal clan. He has vowed vengeance on the Katonids and also to reunite the steppe under his rule. While sporting the Jeztris' famous red hair and bearing some physical resemblance to the Jeztrid prince, many royal experts have dismissed his claim and view him to be little more than "another Deltarian criminal" taking advantage of the conditions in the Tribal Areas. "Shlajkai VII" now controls around 25,000 sq km including a string of small towns dotted along the lake side (Lake Majatra).